Satellite Optical Engineer – Laser Comm & Imaging

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive benefits

Paid vacation 3 weeks

Paid holidays

401(k) plan

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Optical Engineer, Satellites (STARLINK) in Redmond, WA to design, validate, and operate free-space optical communication systems for Starlink satellites. You will lead optical architecture, develop tests, and collaborate with software and manufacturing teams to ensure designs are producible and reliable in space environments.

The role requires a physics/engineering degree, hands-on optics experience, and programming skills (C++, Python, MATLAB).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, electrical engineering or related STEM field.
• 2+ years hands‑on optics/photonic experience or equivalent.
• 1+ years with C++, MATLAB or Python.

Responsibilities

• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development and validation.
• Lead optical architecture definition through trade studies and risk reduction testing.
• Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification and reliability testing.
• Maintain link budgets and design specifications; interface with manufacturing for producibility.
• Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop testing tools.

Skills

C++

Python

MATLAB

Laboratory optics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics / electrical engineering / related STEM

Master's degree or PhD (preferred)

Tools

Zemax

Interferometer

Power meters

Job description

SpaceX is seeking an Optical Engineer, Satellites (STARLINK) in Redmond, WA to design, validate, and operate free-space optical communication systems for Starlink satellites. You will lead optical architecture, develop tests, and collaborate with software and manufacturing teams to ensure designs are producible and reliable in space environments.

The role requires a physics/engineering degree, hands-on optics experience, and programming skills (C++, Python, MATLAB).